lifespan (superstition); mortal life term
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
lifespan; allotted years of life (in folk belief, referring to one's predetermined years in the mortal world)
In traditional Chinese folk religion and superstition, it is believed that each person's lifespan in the mortal realm is predetermined and recorded in the 'Book of Life' (生死簿) overseen by King Yama. This term is distinct from 阴寿 (lifespan in the afterlife).
Tā他
de的
yáng阳
shòu寿
yǐ已
jìn尽
，
ān安
xiáng详
de地
lí离
kāi开
le了
rén人
shì世
。
His allotted lifespan had come to an end, and he passed away peacefully.
Yán阎
wáng王
diàn殿
de的
shēng生
sǐ死
bù簿
shàng上
xiě写
zhe着
měi每
gè个
rén人
de的
yáng阳
shòu寿
。
In King Yama's hall, the Book of Life records every person's mortal lifespan.
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Zuò做
huài坏
shì事
huì会
zhé折
yáng阳
shòu寿
de的
。
Doing evil deeds will shorten one's lifespan.